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Itinerary for Jun 28 — Jul 1, 2013

Description: This Art Deco masterpiece opened in 1930. All of New York is at your doorstep, across from Madison Square Garden and Penn Station, Macy's and the Empire State Building are just down the street with the Theater District a few minutes walk. The hotel features a business center, fitness center and coin operated laundry.

Afternoon: After checking in at the hotel front desk at 4 p.m., register and pick up the arrival packet that we’ll review during orientation.

Dinner: At 5 p.m., enjoy your first included meal at the colorful Tick Tock Diner, just off the hotel lobby. This 24-hour diner features classic American cooking with classic diner decor to enhance the all-American ambiance.

Evening: Orientation at 6:15 p.m. You'll have an informative overview of the program and meet the program staff and fellow participants.
After orientation, enjoy a lively presentation by a retired National Park Service Ranger on the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, which we visit the next day. Then walk three blocks to the Empire State Building, which is amid a sizable restoration effort as part of a more than $550 million capital improvement project. The extraordinary refurbishment brings together world-class architects, historians, artists and craftsmen to recreate the building's original Art Deco style while adding state-of-the-art enhancements. At the center of the renovation is the restoration of the Empire State Building’s historic lobby with its iconic celestial ceiling mural made of aluminum leaf and 23-karat gold. Please note that visitors must pass through primary security screening — similar to airport security procedures — before going to the Observatory.

Description: This Art Deco masterpiece opened in 1930. All of New York is at your doorstep, across from Madison Square Garden and Penn Station, Macy's and the Empire State Building are just down the street with the Theater District a few minutes walk. The hotel features a business center, fitness center and coin operated laundry.

Day Two: Saturday, June 29 - The Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, Free Afte...

The Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, Free Afternoon and Evening to Explore on Your Own

Breakfast: Enjoy a catered breakfast in our private meeting room with bagels, muffins, cereal, hard-boiled eggs, bananas and beverages. During breakfast, we'll also register for the Metro Card included in your program fee. This card provides 10 trips on the New York subway system. You can add value and trips to your Metro Card at any subway station.

Morning: Experience a field trip to Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty, two of America's most iconic national monuments. "Liberty Enlightening the World" was a gift from the people of France to the people of the United States in recognition of an enduring friendship established during the American Revolution. Dedicated on Oct. 28, 1886, Lady Liberty has grown to be an international symbol of freedom and liberty, and the most recognizable symbol of democracy in the world. President Benjamin Harrison designated Ellis Island as one of the first Federal immigration stations in 1890. From 1892 to 1954, more than 12 million immigrants entered the country through Ellis Island, seeking freedom, opportunity and new lives. These immigrants and their descendants have woven their way into the fabric of our national life.

Lunch: On your own. The Ellis Island Café provides a high-quality menu with an emphasis on organic ingredients and many heart-healthy options.

Afternoon: Free afternoon. You may continue to explore Ellis Island or set off for other adventures on your own. Perhaps you'll want to attend a Broadway show — we’ll steer you to the TKTS Half-Price Ticket Stands — or you can follow the Group Leader on a walk through Lower Manhattan, including the Financial District, Wall Street, the World Trade Center site and the 9/11 Memorial.

Dinner: On your own. Savor the cuisine of one of the city's more than 2,000 restaurants, or join the Group Leader and other like-minded participants for dinner at your own cost.

Description: This Art Deco masterpiece opened in 1930. All of New York is at your doorstep, across from Madison Square Garden and Penn Station, Macy's and the Empire State Building are just down the street with the Theater District a few minutes walk. The hotel features a business center, fitness center and coin operated laundry.

Morning: Explore the neighborhood particular to our city "Highlight." We will decide which of the many fascinating Manhattan neighborhoods we will explore during the program.

Brunch: Enjoy brunch at a popular restaurant that’s a favorite among New York locals.

Afternoon: Enjoy an exceptional experience that will include a performance of some of the world's best opera, concerts, ballet and theater. The selection is dependent on current offerings and details will be announced on the Road Scholar website when available.

Dinner: After your brunch, you might just want to grab a slice of New York City pizza during your evening stroll.

Evening: Enjoy a walking field trip in Greenwich Village. As The New York Times describes this history-filled neighborhood, “…the Village remains one of New York's most appealing neighborhoods, and an especially lovely place to stroll. Leafy streets, lined with Federal-style town houses and ivy-covered brownstones … Neighborhood residents remain loyal to the local organic bakery and the corner produce market. Funky craft stores, artsy boutiques and sidewalk cafes refuse to give way to Pottery Barns and Starbucks. It's a neighborhood on a very human scale, with small delights around every corner."

Free Time Opportunities

Important information about your itinerary: Please know that while we do everything we can to finalize all aspects of our programs well in advance, there are logistics that occasionally must be altered. Our website will reflect the most recent information, and we are committed to providing you with final program details no later than eight weeks prior to the start of programs outside the U.S. and three weeks prior to the start of programs within the U.S. If you ever have questions about your program, please don't hesitate to contact us and we will be happy to assist you.

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The latest in light, portable, easy-to-use QUIETVOX listening devices are available on Road Scholar programs.* Whether you are outdoors, in a crowd or in a museum environment where speaking loudly is discouraged, a listening device makes it feel like our experts are speaking clearly and directly to you. Hear for yourself on a Road Scholar adventure!

*Please note that due to the nature of some programs, the remote location or government regulations, listening devices may not be available. If you’d like to know for sure if your program will offer listening devices, just call and ask an Advisor!